China has actively carried out mutually beneficial cooperation with Pacific island countries, and is ready to share poverty reduction experience and deepen development cooperation with Tonga and other Pacific island countries to help them better cope with major public health affairs and natural disasters, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday. 

He made the remarks in a phone call with Tonga's King Tupou VI, calling on joint efforts to strengthen cooperation and promote the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level. 

China will set up a China-Pacific island countries poverty reduction and development cooperation center, and prepare for the project of China-Pacific island countries emergency reserve warehouse, according to Xi. 

China understands the special concerns of Pacific island countries on climate change and will support them in enhancing their capacity to cope with climate change challenges, Xi said. 

China is ready to expand cooperation with Tonga in various fields within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and provide the country with economic and technological assistance without political strings attached, he said.

China will provide necessary assistance for Tonga's agricultural and fishery products to enter the Chinese market, he added.

He also mentioned that China welcomes Tongan enterprises to actively participate in the China International Import Expo and will continue to provide assistance to Tonga in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Tupou VI congratulated China on successfully holding the national games and wished for the Beijing Winter Olympics to be a complete success. 

Tonga firmly pursues the one-China policy and will continue to firmly support China on issues concerning China's core interests, he said, adding that his country supports Pacific island countries in strengthening relations with China and is ready to play a positive role in this regard.